Contents providing device, contents providing method and program for contents providing method

ABSTRACT

To determine preference of a user based on content of broadcast selected by the user and content of a recording medium so that content of broadcast can be selectively recorded and provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention is applied to various AV apparatuses of,for example, on-vehicle apparatuses and home networks, so that contentdesired by a user is provided from content of broadcast and content of arecording medium.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Hitherto, AV apparatuses of the type that provides contentdistributed by broadcast to a user and of the type that plays backcontent from various recording media are in use.

[0005] Content distributed by broadcast includes television programs, FMbroadcast programs, etc. With regard to such content, a desired programcan be selected using a bill of fare on, for example, a newspaper, aweekly magazine, etc., and timer recording of the selected program isallowed. In digital broadcast, a bill of fare is provided by broadcast.

[0006] When a user is not allowed to view or listen to content thusprovided at the time of broadcast, the user views or listens to thecontent by timer recording, i.e., by what is called time shifting.However, timer recording sometimes fails due to, for example, anincorrect operation. Furthermore, setting of timer recording itself issometimes forgotten. Furthermore, it is possible that broadcast of adesired program itself passes unnoticed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and itproposes a content providing apparatus, a content providing method, anda program of a content providing method that serve to properly providecontent of broadcast desired by a user.

[0008] To this end, the present invention is applied to a contentproviding apparatus, which comprises first content obtaining means forobtaining content of broadcast; second content obtaining means forobtaining content supplied via a predetermined recording medium;preference determination means for determining preference of a userbased on a history of obtaining content by the first and second contentobtaining means; content recording means for selectively obtainingcontent of broadcast by the first content obtaining means and recordingthe content obtained in a predetermined content recording medium, basedon a result of determination by the preference determination means; andcontent playback means for selectively playing back and outputting thecontent recorded in the content recording medium.

[0009] By including first content obtaining means for obtaining contentof broadcast; second content obtaining means for obtaining contentsupplied via a predetermined recording medium; preference determinationmeans for determining preference of a user based on a history ofobtaining content by the first and second content obtaining means;content recording means for selectively obtaining content of broadcastby the first content obtaining means and recording the content obtainedin a predetermined content recording medium, based on a result ofdetermination by the preference determination means; and contentplayback means for selectively playing back and outputting the contentrecorded in the content recording medium; content can be recorded inaccordance with preference of the user as determined based not only oncontent provided by a broadcast but also on content provided via arecording medium such as a compact disc. Accordingly, content ofbroadcast desired by the user is properly provided.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is applied to a contentproviding method or a program of a content providing method, whichcomprises a preference determining step of determining preference of auser based on a history of obtaining content including content ofbroadcast and content of a recording medium; a content recording step ofselectively recording the content of broadcast in a predeterminedcontent recording medium based on a result of determination in thepreference determining step; and a content playback step of selectivelyplaying back and outputting the content recorded in the contentrecording medium.

[0011] According to this scheme, content can be recorded in accordancewith preference of the user as determined based not only on contentprovided by a broadcast but also on content provided via a recordingmedium such as a compact disc. Accordingly, content of broadcast desiredby the user is properly provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an AV system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2(A) and FIG. 2(B) are diagrams showing history data of theAV system shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIGS. 3(C) and (D) are diagrams showing subsequent parts of thehistory data shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] FIGS. 4(E), (F), and (G) are diagram showing subsequent parts ofthe history data shown in FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a time chart showing recording of history dataassociated with content of broadcast.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a time chart showing recording of history dataassociated with content of a recording medium.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a processing procedure of a centralprocessing unit in the AV system shown in FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining playback of content inaccordance with preference of a user.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings as needed.

[0021] (1) Construction of the Embodiment

[0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an AV system according to anembodiment of the present invention. In the AV system 1, a receiverapparatus 2 receive conventional terrestrial television broadcast,digital television broadcast, broadcasting satellite (BS) televisionbroadcast, and communication satellite (CS) television broadcast, and itoutputs video signals and audio signals obtained by receiving thesetelevision broadcasts according to user operations or control by aserver 3. Furthermore, when such content is received, the receiverapparatus 2 outputs information regarding a channel being received,time, etc. to the server 3 so that the server 3 is allowed to identifythe content being received.

[0023] A video playback apparatus 4 plays back and outputs, according toa user operation, a video signal and an audio signal from an opticaldisk (DVD: Digital Video Disc) or a video tape serving as a recordingmedium. At this time, in relation to the video signal and the audiosignal for playback, the video playback apparatus 4 plays backinformation regarding content recorded in TOC in the case of an opticaldisk and outputs the information to the server 3. In the case of a videotape, the video playback apparatus 4 plays back information regardingcontent recorded in a vertical blanking period, etc. and outputs theinformation to the server 3. The information regarding content serves toidentify the content. Accordingly, the video playback apparatus 4 allowsthe server 3 to identify content being viewed by a user even if thecontent is provided via a recording medium.

[0024] A radio broadcast receiver apparatus 5 receives and outputs aprogram of an FM (Frequency Modulation) broadcast or a program of an AM(Amplitude Modulation) broadcast according to a user operation. At thistime, the radio broadcast receiver apparatus 5 also obtains informationregarding content from a broadcast wave and outputs the information tothe server 3. Accordingly, also in this case, the radio broadcastreceiver apparatus 5 allows the server 3 to identify content beinglistened to by a user.

[0025] An audio playback apparatus 6 plays back and outputs, accordingto a user operation, an audio signal recorded on an optical disk (CD:Compact Disc), a mini disc (MD: Mini Disc), or a magnetic tape servingas a recording medium. At this time, the audio playback apparatus 6plays back data such as TOC (Table Of Contents) to output informationregarding content. Accordingly, the audio playback apparatus 6 allowsthe server 3 to identify content being listened to by a user.

[0026] Accordingly, the receiver apparatus 2 and the radio broadcastreceiver apparatus 5, together with a television tuner 3A and a radiotuner 3B to be described later, constitute first content obtaining meansfor respectively obtaining content of broadcast, whereas the videoplayback apparatus 4 and the audio playback apparatus 6 constitutesecond content obtaining means for obtaining content supplied via apredetermined recording medium.

[0027] A display apparatus 7 displays a video signal output from thereceiver apparatus 2 or the video playback apparatus 4, or a videosignal output from the server 3. An amplifier 8 amplifies an audiosignal output from the receiver apparatus 2, the video playbackapparatus 4, the radio broadcast receiver apparatus 5, or the audioplayback apparatus 6, or an audio signal output from the server 3,outputting the result via a speaker 9. Accordingly, the AV system 1allows viewing and listening to video and audio content of broadcast andof a recording medium.

[0028] An information management center 10 allows access by the server 3via a network such as the Internet, and stores, at least, program dataof each broadcast that can be received by the receiver apparatus 2 orthe radio broadcast receiver apparatus 5 in the form of a bill of farein a program database 12. Furthermore, the information management center10 stores, at least, content data of a recording medium that can beplayed back by the video playback apparatus 4 or the audio playbackapparatus 6 in a media database 13.

[0029] The program data and content data each represent a profile ofcontent, and can be identified on the basis of data regarding content,obtained by the video playback apparatus 4, etc, and with regard tocontent received by the receiver apparatus 2, can be identified by areceiving channel, a receiving time, etc. The program data relates toprograms currently being broadcast, programs to be subsequentlybroadcast, and programs that have been broadcast in the past, and isstored in the program database 12. The program data includes a time ofbroadcast, a day of week of broadcast, a channel, a program genre, maincast, etc., which correspond to history data to be described later. Ifcontent is associated with music program of a radio broadcast, theprogram data includes a music title, a song title, a lyricist, acomposer, an artist, and manufacturer data in relation to musicbroadcast in the program, in addition to a time of broadcast, a day ofweek of broadcast, a channel, a program genre, and main cast of theprogram.

[0030] The content data includes similar items corresponding to historydata, a title set for a recording medium having content recordedthereon, and with regard to video content, main cast, a director, etc.,and with regard to music content, a music title, a song title, alyricist, a composer, an artist, and manufacturer data. Accordingly, inthe AV system 1, information needed for determining preference of a userwith regard to content received by the receiver apparatus 2, etc. orcontent played back by the video playback apparatus 4 can be obtained byaccessing the information management center 10.

[0031] The server 3 determines preference of a user by accumulating theprogram data and content data thus obtained, and automatically recordsprograms in accordance with preference of the user based on the resultof the determination, providing the programs to the user. Morespecifically, the server 3 includes a television tuner (TV tuner) 3Acorresponding to the receiver apparatus 2 and a radio tuner 3Bcorresponding to the radio broadcast receiver apparatus 5, so thatdesired content can be received.

[0032] Furthermore, the server 3 includes a hard disc apparatus 3Chaving a large capacity, and creates a preference database 3D in thehard disc apparatus 3C. The preference database 3D is created byrecording history data of obtaining content viewed or listened to by auser based on selection by the user.

[0033] In the case of video content, the history data includes a month(or season), a day of week, a start time of broadcast, and an end timeof broadcast that identify a time of broadcast, and in addition, achannel of broadcast and a program genre, as shown in FIG. 2(A). Ifcontent is not associated with broadcast (i.e., in the case of contentsupplied via a recording medium), data identifying the audio playbackapparatus 6 or the video playback apparatus 4 is assigned to the channelof broadcast, and a time of playback is recorded in the itemsidentifying a time of broadcast.

[0034] The program genre is classified into specific types of contentsuch as drama, movie, and sports, as shown in FIG. 2(B), and specificsub-items are set for each of the items. More specifically, in the caseof drama content, distinction as to domestic/foreign drama, a title, aplaywright, and main cast are recorded. In the case of movie content,distinction as to domestic/foreign movie, a specific genre, a title, adirector, a playwright, and main cast are recorded. Specific genres ofmovie include SF & fantasy, musical and music, comedy, Western, etc., asshown in FIG. 3(C).

[0035] In the case of sports content, a specific genre and players arerecorded. Specific genres of sports include baseball, soccer, golf,tennis, etc, as shown in FIG. 3(D). In the case of play content, aspecific genre, a title, a playwright, and main cast are recorded,similarly to movie. In the case of music content, distinction as todomestic/foreign music, a specific genre, a song title, a lyricist, acomposer, and a singer are recorded. Specific genres of music includeidol and popular song, popular ballad, J-POP, etc., as shown in FIG.4(E)

[0036] In the case of a variety program, main cast is recorded. In thecase of an education program, a specific genre, classified as culture,history, philosophy, or economy, as shown in FIG. 4(F), is recorded. Inthe case of animation, a dubbing artist is recorded. In the case of newsor documentary content, an anchorperson is recorded. If content relatesto hobby and life, a specific genre, classified as cooking, gardening,etc., as shown in FIG. 4(G), is recorded.

[0037] In the case of music content obtained by the radio broadcastreceiver apparatus 5, the audio playback apparatus 6, or the radio tuner3B, the same primary genres as in the case of music described above areset. History data is created, by executing a predetermined processingprocedure by the central processing unit 3F, for each content viewed orlistened to based on selection of a user, with items set to values inaccordance with program data and content data obtained by accessing theinformation management center 10, and is then recorded in the preferencedatabase 3D.

[0038]FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a processing procedure for creatingthe preference database 3D. In the processing procedure, when the useroperates a power supply of the receiver apparatus 2 in step SP1, thereceiver apparatus 2 is powered on in subsequent step SP2, and theserver 3 is notified of the power-on. In the server 3, upon thenotification of power-up, the information management center 10 isaccessed under the control of the central processing unit 3F, obtainingprogram data that can be received by the receiver apparatus 2 at thecurrent time.

[0039] Around the time of the process of obtaining program data, whenthe user selects a channel in step SP3, the receiver apparatus 2executes a tuning process in subsequent step SP4 in response to thechannel selection operation, so that reception of the channel selectedby the user is started. The receiver apparatus 2 notifies the server 3of information of the channel whose reception has been started. In theserver 3, program data of the corresponding channel is selected from thereceivable program data that has been received from the informationmanagement center 10 under the control of the central processing unit3F, and history data is set by the selected program data and is recordedin the preference database 3D. If the user thus starts viewing thecontent and then continues enjoying content by the receiver apparatus 2even after the program has ended, the central processing unit 3Faccesses the information management center 10 again with reference to anend time obtained from the program data to obtain program data that canbe viewed in a subsequent time range, and creates history data of theprogram being enjoyed by the user using the program data thus obtained,recording the history data in the preference database 3D.

[0040] Similarly, when the user selects content by the television tuner3A or the radio broadcast receiver apparatus 5, the central processingunit 3F also creates history data for each program, recording thehistory data in the preference database 3D.

[0041]FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a processing procedure in relationto the preference database 3D, which is executed when the audio playbackapparatus 6 serving as a playback apparatus of a recording medium isoperated by the user. In the processing procedure, when the useroperates a power supply of the audio playback apparatus 6 in step SP11,the audio playback apparatus 6 is powered on in subsequent step SP12,and the server 3 is notified of the power-on.

[0042] When the user sets an optical disc and operates a predeterminedoperation unit in subsequent step SP13, the audio playback apparatus 6loads the optical disc in subsequent step SP14 and plays back a lead-inarea to obtain TOC data. The audio playback apparatus 6 notifies theserver 3 of the TOC data. Upon the notification, the server 3 accessesthe information management center 10 under the control of the centralprocessing unit 3F, obtaining corresponding content data.

[0043] Around the time of the process of obtaining content data, whenthe user instructs playback of the optical disc in step SP15, the audioplayback apparatus 6 starts playback of a corresponding song in stepSP16. Furthermore, history data of songs associated with the playback issequentially created in step SP17 from content data obtained from theinformation management center 10, recording the history data in thepreference database 3D.

[0044] In this case, the central processing unit 3F creates history datafor each song and registers the history data in the preference database3D. Similarly, for example, when the video playback apparatus 4 isoperated by the user to play back a DVD, the central processing unit 3Falso accesses the information management center 10 to obtain contentdata, and creates history data from the content data, registering thehistory data in the preference database 3D.

[0045] Accordingly, in the server 3, a profile etc. of content enjoyedby the user by his/her own selection is recorded in a database, whichserves to determine preference of the user. Furthermore, content ofbroadcast and content of a recording medium are managed by the samepreference database 3D, so that preference of the user regarding thecontent can be processed in an integrated manner.

[0046] The hard disc apparatus 3C includes a user area 3G and anautomatic recording area 3H as well as an area of the preferencedatabase 3D. The user area 3G is managed as a bank structure, whichincludes a music bank 3I, a movie bank 3J, and a temporary recordingbank 3K.

[0047] The music bank 3I is an area that stores content played back bythe audio playback apparatus 6 and content received by the radiobroadcast receiver apparatus 5 or the radio tuner 3B so that the contentcan be used as a jukebox. The movie bank 3J is an area that storescontent played back by the video playback apparatus 4 and contentreceived by the receiver apparatus 2 or the television tuner 3A so thatthe content can be reused. The temporary recording bank 3K is an areathat stores content selected by the user from content of broadcastautomatically recorded by the server 3 in accordance with preference ofthe user. The automatic recording area 3H is an area for storing contentof broadcast automatically recorded by the server 3 in accordance withpreference of the user as mentioned above. The server 3 allowsmanagement of content desired by the user among content recorded in theautomatic recording area 3H to be transferred to the temporary recordingbank 3K.

[0048]FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a processing procedure of automaticrecording executed by the central processing unit 3F using the automaticrecording area 3H. The central processing unit 3F executes theprocessing procedure when the user operates a predetermined operationunit to set operation mode of the server 3 to an automatic recordingmode.

[0049] That is, in the server 3, the central processing unit 3F accessesthe preference database 3D in step SP21 at a predetermined time, andstatistically processes history data, thereby determining preference ofthe user. More specifically, the central processing unit 3F selects aprogram, an artist, etc. that have been frequently viewed or listened toby the user from the history data recorded in the preference database3D, thereby determining preference of the user.

[0050] The central processing unit 3F requests a search over the programdatabase 12 to the information management center 10 using as a key thefavorite genre, artist, etc. of the user obtained by the determination,and receives notification of program data of programs presumably inaccordance with preference of the user.

[0051] If a program within twenty-four hours presumably desired by theuser is included in the notification, timer recording is set to thetelevision tuner 3A or the radio tuner 3B, and the processing procedureis then exited.

[0052] Accordingly, when a start time of recording has come, the centralprocessing unit 3F powers on the television tuner 3A or the radio tuner3B, and records a program associated with the received program data ofthe notification in the automatic recording area 3H. If remainingcapacity of the automatic recording area 3H is lacking at this time, thecentral processing unit 3F controls operation of the hard disc apparatus3C so as to overwrite and delete content recorded earliest in the past,thereby recording content obtained by the television tuner 3A or theradio tuner 3B.

[0053] If the user operates a predetermined operation unit to instructdisplay of a list of content that has thus been automatically recorded,the central processing unit 3F displays a list of content stored in theautomatic recording area 3H. Furthermore, if the user specifies contentin the displayed list and instructs deletion thereof, record of thecontent is deleted from the hard disc apparatus 3C. If the userinstructs saving, management of the content is transferred from theautomatic recording area 3H to the temporary recording bank 3K. If theuser specifies content in the displayed list and instructs playbackthereof, overall operation is controlled so that the content is playedback and a corresponding video signal and/or audio signal are output tothe display apparatus 7 and/or the amplifier 8. Accordingly, the centralprocessing unit 3F records a title of content, etc. together withcontent recorded in the automatic recording area 3H so that the user isallowed to recognize the content.

[0054] Since content whose management has been transferred by the userto the temporary recording bank 3K and content that has been viewed orlistened to almost entirely in response to a user instruction forplayback can be assumed as content in accordance with preference of theuser, the central processing unit 3F creates history data for suchcontent and records the history data in the preference database 3D,similarly to content obtained based on selection by the user.

[0055] When the user instructs automatic playback of an audio signal,the central processing unit 3F executes a processing procedure shown inFIG. 8, selecting content recorded in the music bank 3I based on acurrent condition and playing back the selected content. Morespecifically, in the AV system 1, when the user activates power in stepSP31 and then instructs automatic playback of music in subsequent stepSP32, the central processing unit 3F accesses the preference database 3Dwith reference to the current time in subsequent step SP33. By theaccess, the central processing unit 3F determines whether a habitualrelationship exists in content of audio signals that have been listenedto by the user in the past at the current time of day. For example, ifthe frequency of listening to classical music is high at the time rangeof the access although the frequency of listening to pops is high inother time ranges, it is determined that the user has a habit oflistening to classical music in the time range of the access.

[0056] The central processing unit 3F determines such habit of the userbased on tendency of history data recorded in the preference database3D. If the central processing unit 3F determines that no habitualrelationship exists, the central processing unit 3F accesses thepreference database 3D again in step SP3, detecting a favorite genre ortitle of the user and selecting content of an audio signal recorded inthe music bank 3I based on the genre or title.

[0057] Furthermore, in subsequent step SP35, playback of the selectedcontent is instructed, and playback of the content is recorded in thepreference database 3D in step SP36, and the processing procedure isthen exited. The recording in the preference database 3D in step SP36 isexecuted when the user does not execute an operation such asre-selecting a song with regard to the content provided.

[0058] If it is determined that a habitual relationship exits, thecentral processing unit 3F proceeds from step SP33 to step SP37, inwhich the central processing unit 3F detects a genre or title having thehighest frequency of listening in the current time range. Furthermore,the central processing unit 3F selects content of the detected genre ortitle from content of audio signals recorded in the music bank 3I, thenproceeding to step SP35.

[0059] As a presupposition of these processes, when downloading ofcontent is instructed by a user operation, the central processing unit3F records video content output from the receiver apparatus 2, the videoplayback apparatus 4, or the television tuner 3A in the movie bank 3J,while recording music content output from the radio broadcast receiverapparatus 5, the audio playback apparatus 6, or the radio tuner 3B inthe music bank 3I.

[0060] Furthermore, the central processing unit 3F displays a list ofvarious content thus recorded in the movie bank 3J and the music bank 3Iaccording to user operations, accepting selection by the user, andselectively plays back content desired by the user from the variouscontent recorded in the movie bank 3J and the music bank 3I.

[0061] (2) Operation of the Embodiment

[0062] According to the scheme described above, in the AV system 1 (FIG.1), when a user wishes to receive a television broadcast, a desiredchannel is selected by the receiver apparatus 2 or the television tuner3A according to a user operation, whereby a video signal and an audiosignal broadcast by the channel are output from the display apparatus 7and the speaker 9, respectively, so that desired video content ofbroadcast can be enjoyed.

[0063] If the user wishes to view a movie or the like provided via arecording medium such as a DVD or a video tape, a video signal and anaudio signal are played back from the recording medium according to anoperation of the video playback apparatus 4, whereby the video signaland the audio signal are output from the display apparatus 7 and thespeaker 9, respectively, so that desired video content from therecording medium can be enjoyed.

[0064] Furthermore, if the user instructs recording when video contentis received or played back as described above, and furthermore, if theuser instructs downloading of video content of broadcast or a recordingmedium, video content received by the receiver apparatus 2 or thetelevision tuner 3A or video content played back by the video playbackapparatus 4 is recorded in the movie bank 3J of the server 3.Accordingly, in the AV system 1, video content is accumulated and storedin the server 3, so that the user is allowed to enjoy the content atanytime desired.

[0065] If the user wishes to receive a radio broadcast, a broadcast wavedesired by the user is received by the radio broadcast receiverapparatus 5 or the radio tuner 3B according to a user operation, and anaudio signal thus received is provided to the user via the speaker 9.Accordingly, in the AV system 1, content of broadcast, such as music,can be enjoyed.

[0066] If the user wishes content, such as music, provided via arecording medium such as a compact disc, an audio signal recorded on therecording medium is played back by the audio playback apparatus 6according to a user operation, whereby the audio signal is provided tothe user via the speaker 9. Accordingly, in the AV system 1, content ofa recording medium, such as music, can be enjoyed.

[0067] Furthermore, if the user instructs recording when content such asmusic is received or played back as described above, and furthermore, ifthe user instructs downloading of content of broadcast or a recordingmedium, such as music, content of an audio signal received by the radiobroadcast receiver apparatus 5 or the radio tuner 3B or content of anaudio signal played back by the audio playback apparatus 6 is recordedin the music bank 3I of the server 3. Accordingly, in the AV system 1,content such as music can be accumulated and stored in the server 3, sothat the user is allowed enjoy the content at anytime desired.

[0068] When content such as video and music, supplied by broadcast orvia a recording medium, is provided to the user according to a useroperation, the server 3 accesses the program database 12 and the mediadatabase 13 at the information management center 10 to load, for eachcontent, program data including a program genre, main cast, etc. andcontent data including a title of recording medium, a title of recordedcontent, etc., and thereby creates history data representing contentthat has been viewed or listened to by the user, recording the historydata in the preference database 3D.

[0069] If the user frequently views or listens to programs or music ofthe same genre or title, a large number of records of the same genre ortitle is included in the history data accumulated in the preferencedatabase 3D as described above. Thus, preference of the user can bedetermined based on tendency of the history data accumulated in thepreference database 3D.

[0070] Accordingly, in the AV system 1, when the user instructsautomatic recording of program, a favorite genre, title, artist, etc. ofthe user are detected from the records in the preference database 3D,and the program database 12 is accessed using these items as keys,thereby detecting programs to be broadcast within twenty-four hours andpresumably in accordance with preference of the user. Furthermore, bythe detection, corresponding program data is loaded, setting timerrecording is set using a start time of broadcast, an end time ofbroadcast, and a channel that are set in the program data. When thesetting has been made and the start time of broadcast has come, thetelevision tuner 3A or the radio tuner 3B is powered on, and the programdetected as being presumably in accordance with preference of the useris recorded in the automatic recording area 3H. Furthermore, if the userinstructs display of a list of programs that have been automaticallyrecorded, a list of programs that have been recorded in the automaticrecording area 3H is displayed, and the programs are selectivelyprovided via the display apparatus 7 and the speaker 9 according to aninstruction by the user. Furthermore, management of the content thusprovided to the user is transferred to the temporary recording bank 3Kfrom the automatic recording area 3H.

[0071] Accordingly, in the AV system 1, programs that have not beenmissed by the user, such as a serial drama, programs featuring afavorite actor, etc. of the user are provided to the user without fail.

[0072] In particular, in the AV system 1, preference of the user isdetermined with history of viewing or listening to content provided viaa recording medium such as a compact disc taken into consideration.Accordingly, for example, when a favorite artist whose albums have notbeen missed for purchase is featured on a radio broadcast program or atelevision broadcast program, and furthermore, when a promotion video ofa new song of the artist is broadcast, these programs are provided tothe user without fail, serving to improve usability.

[0073] Accordingly, in the AV system 1, content whose management hastransferred to the temporary recording bank 3K as described above canalso be recorded in the music bank 3I or the movie bank 3J, so that theuser is allowed to enjoy the content at anytime desired.

[0074] When the user instructs automatic playback of an audio signal,the AV system 1 determines whether a habitual relationship exists in theviewing/listening history of the user by accessing the preferencedatabase 3D. If it is determined that no habitual relationship exists,the AV system 1 plays back music content of a favorite genre or title ofthe user from the music bank 3I, which is provided via the speaker 9.Accordingly, in the AV system 1, music in accordance with preference ofthe user is provided even if playback of music content that has beenrecorded and stored depends on selection by the apparatus.

[0075] If it is determined that a habitual relationship exists, the AVsystem 1 detects music of a genre or title having the highest frequencyof listening at the current time of day. Furthermore, an audio signal ofthe genre or title thus detected is played back from the music bank 3Iand is provided to the user. Accordingly, in the AV system 1, forexample, if a person has a habit of listening to classical music in themorning, pops in the afternoon, and jazz in the evening, music of thegenres the user habitually listens to in the morning, in the afternoon,and in the evening, respectively, is selected and provided. As anotherexample, if a person has a habit of listening to a hit chart, a songthat has recently been listened to frequently or a song that has beenrecorded most recently is provided. Without limitation to selection of asong on the basis of genre, for example, if a particular music is playedin the evening, the music is provided to the user.

[0076] (3) Advantages of the Embodiment

[0077] According to the scheme described above, content of broadcast isselectively recorded in accordance with preference of a user asdetermined based on content of broadcast selected by the user andcontent of a recording medium, so that content of broadcast desired bythe user is properly provided.

[0078] Furthermore, data of content obtained by the user is sequentiallyrecorded to create history of obtaining content. Accordingly, preferenceof the user under various conditions, for example, preference of theuser in relation to time ranges such as morning, afternoon, and evening,can be determined, so that content desired by the user is properlyprovided to the user.

[0079] That is, content recorded in a hard disc apparatus serving aspredetermined content obtaining means is selectively played back andoutput based on a result of determination as to preference, andfurthermore, content that is determined as being in accordance withpreference of the user under a current condition is selectively output,so that content desired by the user is properly provided to the user.

[0080] (4) Other Embodiments

[0081] Although the above embodiment has been described in relation to acase where history is recorded as to content of broadcast and of arecording medium and preference of a user is determined accordingly, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and for example, selectiveplayback by the user of content accumulated, for example, in a hard discapparatus may also be used as a basis for determining preference.

[0082] Furthermore, although the above embodiment has been described inrelation to a case where history of obtaining content is recorded byaccessing a management center and time recording is set, the presentinvention is not limited thereto, and for example, these processes maybe executed using an electronic bill of fare.

[0083] Furthermore, although the embodiment has been described inrelation to a case where broadcast programs are selectively recorded inaccordance with preference of the user and music content recorded in amusic bank is provided to the user, the present invention is not limitedthereto, and for example, instead of or in addition to providing musiccontent recorded in the music bank, preference of the user may beutilized in providing broadcast programs. In that case, for example, ifthe user has a habit of switching channels in the morning and viewingstock market, general news, etc., programs in accordance with the habitare provided to the user.

[0084] Furthermore, although the embodiment has been described inrelation to a case where preference of the user is determined based onhistory of obtaining content with reference to the current time of dayand music is provided accordingly, the present invention is not limitedthereto, and may be applied to an on-vehicle audio apparatus so thatmusic is provided in accordance with preference of the user asdetermined according to conditions such as traveling speed, and may beused in combination with a car navigation system so that music isprovided in accordance with preference of the user as determinedaccording to conditions of a current position of travel. Accordingly,for example, music suitable for beach is selected when traveling along aseacoast, “From the New World” by Dvorak is selected when traveling inthe mountains at dusk, and a fast-paced song is selected when travelingon a highway.

[0085] As described above, according to the present invention, contentof broadcast is selectively recorded in accordance with preference of auser as determined based on content of broadcast selected by the userand content of a recording medium, so that content of broadcast desiredby the user is properly provided.

FIELDS OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0086] Relates to a content providing apparatus, a content providingmethod, and a program of a content providing method, and is applicable,for example, to AV apparatuses of, for example, on-vehicle apparatusesand home networks.

1) a content providing apparatus comprising: first content obtaining means for obtaining content of broadcast; second content obtaining means for obtaining content supplied via a predetermined recording medium; preference determination means for determining preference of a user based on a history of obtaining content by said first and second content obtaining means; content recording means for selectively obtaining content of broadcast by said first content obtaining means and recording the content obtained in a predetermined content recording medium, based on a result of determination by said preference determination means; and content playback means for selectively playing back and outputting the content recorded in the content recording medium. 2) A content providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said preference determination means generates the history of obtaining content by sequentially recording data of content obtained by the user by said first and second content obtaining means. 3) A content providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said content recording means selects the content by searching for data representing a profile of content that can be obtained by said first content obtaining means based on a result of determination by said preference determination means. 4) A content providing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising content selection and output means for selectively obtaining and outputting content by predetermined content obtaining means based on a result of determination by said preference determination means. 5) A content providing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said content selection and output means selectively outputs content that is determined as desired by the user under a current condition. 6) A content providing method comprising: a preference determining step of determining preference of a user based on a history of obtaining content including content of broadcast and content of a recording medium; a content recording step of selectively recording the content of broadcast in a predetermined content recording medium based on a result of determination in said preference determining step; and a content playback step of selectively playing back and outputting the content recorded in the content recording medium. 7) A program of a content providing method comprising: a preference determining step of determining preference of a user based on a history of obtaining content including content of broadcast and content of a recording medium; a content recording step of selectively recording the content of broadcast in a predetermined content recording medium based on a result of determination in said preference determining step; and a content playback step of selectively playing back and outputting the content recorded in the content recording medium. 8) A content providing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising navigation means for displaying a map and navigating the user, wherein said content playback means determines preference of the user based a condition of a current position of travel detected by said navigation means, and selectively provides content obtained by said first or second content providing means or content recorded in the content recording medium according to a result of the determination. 9) A content providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data representing a profile of content is program data including a date of broadcast, a day of week of broadcast, a channel, and a program genre of a broadcast program. 